Spence-Chapin Adoption Services Earns Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s “All Children – All Families” Seal of Recognition for Its Work with LGBT Families

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Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children Earns Seal for Implementing Fully Inclusive Policies in Working with LGBT Families

Spence-Chapin is awarded the HRC Seal of Recognition.

It is an honor to be recognized for our commitment to the LGBT community. - Spence-Chapin's

New York City, NY (PRWEB)October 24, 2013

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, announced today that Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children has earned the All Children—All Families seal of recognition. The Spence-Chapin adoption agency based in New York earned the honor by meeting the required criteria for fully inclusive policies and practices in working with the LGBT community. The Human Rights Campaign’s All Children—All Families initiative provides a comprehensive framework for agencies to meet specific benchmarks that help create a welcoming, supportive and affirmative atmosphere for LGBT foster and adoptive parents. The seal was presented to Emily Forhman, MSW, executive director of Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children.

“It is an honor to be recognized for our commitment to the LGBT community and by an organization of such caliber as the Human Rights Campaign,” shared Emily Forhman, executive director of Spence-Chapin.

“We are thrilled to welcome Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children into the community of child welfare organizations that are truly committed to creating more loving families by removing barriers to qualified LGBT adoptive parents. It is wonderful that LGBT individuals and couples in New York have another trusted resource to turn to when pursuing adoption,” added Ellen Kahn, director of HRC’s Children, Youth, and Families Program.

The “All Children – All Families” initiative, launched in 2007, promotes policies and practices that welcome LGBT foster and adoptive parents. The program seeks to enhance LGBT cultural competence among child welfare professionals and educate LGBT people about opportunities to become foster or adoptive parents to waiting children. To date, ACAF has over 60 participating agencies across the country, and has awarded 34 seals of recognition.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Spence-Chapin is a full-service adoption agency bringing over 100 years of experience to creating permanent, loving families for children most in need. We are committed to lowering barriers in the adoption system for every parent seeking a child and children most in need. We lead every family through a challenging process with empathy, flexibility, and lifelong support through our Modern Family Center. Our mission is driven by the simple belief that Every Child Deserves a Family. More information can be found at http://www.spence-chapin.org.